[Carter Mansion — Breakfast]
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the dining room, but the warmth did little to soften the tension hanging in the air.
Evelyn sat quietly at the table, stirring her tea without really drinking it, Melissa was seated across from her, flipping through her phone absentmindedly while Gregory stood near the sideboard with a tablet in hand instead of sitting down—an old habit that always meant his mind was elsewhere.
Gregory scrolled once more, jaw tightening.
"They are not letting it rest," he muttered.
Melissa looked up. "What is it now?"
Gregory finally turned the tablet toward them. Headlines filled the screen.
HEINBERG PROJECT HALTED — REGULATORY INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
"The regulatory board froze everything," he continued. "Investors are restless and the media is tearing into Reid Enterprise like vultures. Whoever handled this mess didn't think long-term."
Melissa frowned. "Is it serious?"
